I want to know what is the hold up with my application for disability benefits?
By kbkbooks
@kbkbooks (7022)
Canada
December 29, 2006 12:03pm CST
I am waiting for health benefits from the Quebec government. I am in pain, permanently disabled by a disease and they are making me wait and wait for their decision. My doctor tells me I cannot ever work again. I just want to get the benefits I am entitled to, they have rejected me and now I won't have an answer till the end of January according to them. Meanwhile, since I am married and my husband has a VERY SMALL retirement income, I cannot collect welfare or other social assistance. Fortunately we are able to eat because of food banks, but cannot afford groceries while we pay for electricity and other living expenses. I also pay 170 dollars in medication WEEKLY, which I get back from insurance partly, but it takes time and I need to put out the money up front. My point is this: I am a citizen of this country. I worked over 15 years, paying my taxes, etc. Apparently one year of work entitles me to my benefits, either as retirement or disability. This isn't fair. Why should I wait and suffer when my doctor and the law say I am entitled. I know at least three people who are collecting disability and working at regular jobs at the same time under the table. I can't do that. I can't feed my family...
2 people like this
16 responses
@kjhasselstrom (304)
• United States
30 Dec 06
I have been waiting for my disability benefits since 2004 and from what I understand, the government can take their sweet lil' time awarding them. I am in the same boat as you as I am in a lot of pain and just want to get fixed! I don't understand this. I worked for 15 years and now my rightfully earned disability benefits are just in limbo...
I have too been rejected. They did not even look at my medial records or talk to my doctors! I have had to hire an attorney, who will of course receive a portion of my funds once they do decide to award them.
My next step..maybe right my Congress Representative...but who knows if that will help either.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36447)
• United States
30 Dec 06
I think this is becoming common matter no matter where you live. And the sad part of it is, when you are Married, it is like they Penalize you even more, and it is No wonder people never want to get Married if they are disabled, and live together. And then there are the people who like you said, work under the table, etc. and never get caught, and probably lie about most everything, but if you tell the Truth and try to obey their rules, you end up getting punished for it. It is a No Win sitation. One of these days I would Love to have the people in charge have to live in someone elses shoes, and see just how hard it is to keep your head above water when an Emergency really happens.
@chiquita1977 (1706)
• United States
30 Dec 06
alot of people get rejected their first time when they apply for benifits.it always takes a while to get a decision from them it can take up to 90 days it usally does not take that long though you should get disability especially if you have a doctor that says so but they might want you to be checked out by their doctor.it may not be fair to have to wait but we all have to do it at some point in our life.be patient they should have a decision soon.you should be able togetfood stamps in the meantime though.
2 people like this
@budlightman (86)
• United States
30 Dec 06
I know that here in the US they usually deny you the first time and you have to get a lawyer. My mother in law has been fighting it for 3 yrs to get it. And she has legitamate medical problems where she can not work.
I hope that you get yours soon.
2 people like this
@kris182_2000 (5469)
• Canada
30 Dec 06
Political red tape and B.S.
That's what it all ends up being.
And that's the problem with governments. I live in Ontario and I hear that the backlog is years for ODSP. It's horrible and not fair for those who really need the money to survive on.
My mother and my fiance's mother are both on CPP disability and ODSP, but I don't know how long it took either of them to receive their benefits.
I know this much:
Keep calling them, and hounding them. At some point they will get so sick and tired of you that they will get your application completed. BUT, never stop bugging them about it.
2 people like this
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
30 Dec 06
You are not a static you are a human and have human rights it is disgusting how a lot of countries treat us and do not care how we live or where we get the money it is no wonder why some people break the laws trying to survive. I wish you luck and hopefully soon you will receive what you deserve best of luck.
2 people like this
@locolady (374)
• Canada
30 Dec 06
I live in Ontario and having the same problems-they take about 4 months to make the first decision and then its usually denied and then you get to appeal and sometimes they will deny you a second time--If you have a community&socials services in your area(welfare)tell them your situation and ask to speak with the disability worker and they will give you the forms to get a lawyer to fight it for you,in the end by this time next yr you should have it--- good luck..
1 person likes this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
30 Dec 06
If it gets rejected the second time I am going to have to get a lawyer. I cannot go on like this. It's too bad that because of my rejected application some bozo has a stack of cool paperwork to do so he or she can make twenty or thirty dollars an hour on it...while I wait and wonder how to feed my family and ward off collection calls.
@pendragon (3348)
• United States
29 Dec 06
I have three chronic illnesses, and am waiting too, here in America.I have been denied twice before, but now maybe I'm sick enough?Maybe i wouldnt be this bad had I been approved beforehand.Still,I don't feel like I have a right to complain, when I'm begging to begin with.I know I deserve the programs they're offering,it's what they are made for,I just don't know what's worse, the pain or the guilt.
2 people like this
@kbkbooks (7022)
• Canada
30 Dec 06
I used to feel guilty about wanting a public handicap parking space permit. The government rejected me for that too. I appealed and got it the second time. I don't feel guilty now, my condition is worsening steadily. I need that parking space. What really ticked me off was that I even had to pay administration fees for the application of the handicap parking permit. This of course is for malls and other public places where non-handicapped people park for free. They don't pay admin charges to the government or the business establishments. Discrimination?
@jewel76 (2305)
• Canada
29 Dec 06
I hear where you're coming from. I got injured on my back and left shoulder in august 2004, and for a few months, collected disability, but then, after a visit to this "neutral" doctor, that said i was fine, even though i told him it's hard for me to use my left arm, and lift things, they suddenly ceased the payments and sent me a letter saying i could go back to work, as if nothing ever happened. I went to court, and of course, lost, so i had to quit my job, and since then i've had sh*tty jobs, that don't pay half of what i used to get paid at my job where i got hurt. It's sad that we work so many years, contribute so much to these, and when it's time for us to collect what is due to us, they treat us this way. It isn't fair. I wish you the best of luck with this issue.
2 people like this
@NewHeart (528)
• Canada
30 Dec 06
well you didn't say when you applied for your pension. but i do know what your going through i am here waiting too and it is tough. i applied back in sept 06 but should have got it back when had all my heart attacks 7 years back. but was stubborn and kept trying to work and all i did was make myself worse so since i went back i guess they think now i'm faking it. ain't i the fool. well luck to you...
1 person likes this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
30 Dec 06
When something like this happens, we are all shocked as we know that there are things set in place to help people! After all, it is our taxes that pay those benefits and pay a lot of the salaries of those people! It is awful when the legitamate claims take so long! I remember one year my husband lost his job and I was bringing home $115 a week. We applied for temporary food stamps to help us out until he could get another job. They told us I made too much money for a family of 4! It was a big shock! I hear your frustration and will pray for you...that a solution is quick and help will some soon! You've gotten a lot of good suggestions from your fellow Canadians, so hopefully one of those will do the trick for you! Good luck!
@madhurtravels (292)
• India
30 Dec 06
i am not fully under stand your problem ,so i can not give you any suggestion
1 person likes this
@xXmeganxX (4420)
•
30 Dec 06
maybe try and get your doctor to write a letter for you explaining your situation about food etc and say it's stressing you out waiting this long and you cannot wait any longer or go for some advice from the citizens advice bureau see if they could ring up on your behalf and find out what's happening or you go down to the place or even call them and explain your situation. one of these options must be able to help well i hope it does, good luck!
2 people like this
@santwana_veddika (2018)
• India
30 Dec 06
i am total with u and hope and wish u will surely get ur health benefits from the Quebec government.
1 person likes this
